Daniel Osher was chief of neurological surgery at Jewish Hospital for almost 30 years. One of the earliest to practice medicine in this field, Dr. Osher worked at hospitals across Cincinnati and had an almost 35-year-old private practice.

Dr. Osher, who had Alzheimer's disease, died Jan. 23 at University Hospital from complications from a fall. The longtime North Avondale resident was 87.

"He was a modest man ... and he made an awful lot of people laugh. He was just great company," said his wife of 59 years, Muriel Osher of Hyde Park.

Dr. Osher grew up in Avondale, graduated from Hughes High School and the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine. He received neurological training at Columbian Presbyterian Hospital in New York.

Around 1945, he began his practice in Cincinnati and shortly after became the chief of neurological surgery at Jewish - a position he held until the late 1970s. His private practice office was in Clifton.

"His patients meant so much to him," said his wife. "He had a very personal approach."

An avid boater, Dr. Osher was a member of Cincinnati Power Squadron and owned a summer home in Cincinnati's California neighborhood along the Ohio River, where he grew his own vegetables.

He retired from his medical practice around 1980.

Besides his wife, other survivors include four sons, Tom of San Francisco, John of Cleveland, Peter of Wyoming and James of Pleasant Ridge; and nine grandchildren.

Services have been held. Burial was in Clifton in United Jewish Cemetery.